News Release Archive

EDUCATION/CULTURE--ACADIAN-FRANCOPHONE GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT
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Nova Scotia Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern
and Canadian Heritage Minister Michel Dupuy today announced
the signature of a special agreement for the implementation
of Francophone school governance in Nova Scotia.
Mr. MacEachern said, "Our government is pleased with the
level of co-operation and support of the federal government
in securing additional funding for the implementation of
governance in Nova Scotia."
Mr. Dupuy said, "This agreement officially places
responsibility for managing French-language schools in the
hands of the province's Acadians and Francophones. School
management means establishing an institutional network that
belongs to these communities in the field of education,
which is of crucial importance. This is a historic step we
are taking: the full application of section 23 of the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
The three-year agreement is the culmination of several years
of co-operation between the two levels of government and
Acadians and Francophones in Nova Scotia. This initiative
reflects the federal government's commitment to working with
provincial and territorial governments to enhance the
vitality of Canada's official languages communities.
Under the terms of the agreement, the support provided by
the federal government will be conditional on the adoption
of the new Education Act by Nova Scotia. However, following
the introduction of the act, Canadian Heritage will provide
an advance contribution to Nova Scotia.
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Contact: Alain Garceau 819-997-9314
Donna MacDonald 902-424-2615
trp Oct. 25, 1995